TMT Class/power

Question 1

Gentil…

Answer 1

Gentil squier
- words ‘Gentil’ & ‘Gentillese’ used 4 times in 17 lines, means nobility of family & noble in character. Januarie believes himself to be a good judge of character & views himself as noble, but his inability to see the deceit of both Damyan & May shows being in higher social class does not mean they will be better behaved

Question 2

Hir wise governuance…

Answer 2

Hir wise governuance, hir gentillesse
- her self-control & nobility both commented on by Januarie - two qualities much valued in Chaucer’s day but januarie knows little about his brides upbringing & focuses on her beauty. May’s family is of low status, only serves to further heighten the power imbalance in their relationship

Question 3

On his bak…

Answer 3

On his bak she stood
- may has power by the end of tale, roles reverse

Question 4

That wyf is mannes helpe…

Answer 4

That wyf is mannes helpe and his comfort
- tropes regarding women & their subservient position

Question 5

I my foot mighte…

Answer 5

I my foot mighte sette upon you’re bak
- syntax associated with ‘I’ before ‘you’ exemplifies the role reversal within the text, where though she lacks power according to januarie, she is in fact cunning enough to steal his societal label whilst humiliating him